Fastener for carpets or the like.



No. 761,174. PATENTED MAY 31, 1904.

J. P. HULL.

FASTENER FOR GARPETS OR THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 8, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

7 To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES Patented May 31, 1904.

PATENT" ()FFIC JOSEPH P. HULL, OF EASTON, DELAWARE.

FQASTENER FORSCARPETS OR THE- LIKE.

' SPECIFICATION? forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,174, dated Ma 31, 1904.

Application filed August 8, 1903.

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. HULL,acitiZen.

of the United States, residing at Easton, in the displacement of the carpets. or coverings for cleaning or other purposes. The invention primarilycontemplates the provision-of an angular body or block having pointed pins or slidablespurs movably dis-- posed in parallel relation in a slot therein and l arranged to be projected from diagonally 0p-' posite angles of the said slot and actuated by! a centrally-applied device whereby the fastener as an entirety when applied will beprevented from turning and becoming irregularly disposed when applied. i

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple, effective,.and durable fastener for carpets and other covering having in some instances means for securing a rod thereto to serve as an additional or auxiliary fastening. means, particularly in relation to stair carpet or covers, the rod construction being specially advantageous in holding crash or other protective coverings on stair-carpets between twof of the fasteners and permit the said crash or other covering to be readily applied and removed without disengaging the fastener.

Fasteners of this class have heretofore been used and embodied a metallic plate of angular shape having reduced edges to bear on the carpet or covering and slidable pins or spurs which centrally projected when movedi from a seat in the plate and operative by the application of a key applied to the center of the plate between the shanks of the pins or spurs. The central position of the pins or spurs when projected from the plate invariably resulted in a twisting movement of the plate by reason of the fact that one pin or Serial No. 168,817. (No model.)

view of stairs,'showing a carpet or covering spur failed to act as a resistance against the applied thereto and the improved fastener thereon with and without the rod attachment. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fastener with thec'over orshield-plate removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the fastener. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section thereof, showing the operating-key applied thereto. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the fastener with the cover or shield-plate removed, showing a modification in the construction. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of a modified form of the fastener shown by Fig. 5 broken away and showing a portion of a special'key used for operating this device.

Similar numerals ofreference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views.

The numeral 1 designates a body-block,-

preferably constructed of woodand triangular in form. The apex 2of the block is curved or rounded to fit snugly against that portion of a stair carpet at the intersecting angle of each step-board and riser or-to press apcoveringclosely against any other'angle.

This

block 1 in both forms of the device is of the 5 same construction, and similar reference-numerals will be usedin describing corresponding parts. The outer orbase portion of the block 1 is formed'with a slot'3, normally covered by a metallic shield-plate 4 securely fastened by screws, as shown? Slidingly mounted in the slot 3 is a pair of reversely-arranged pointed rods or spurs 5, projecting from flat shanks 6, with teeth 7 at their inner opposing edges. The shanks 6 are held spaced apart from each other and are maintained at all times in parallel position by means which will be hereinafter described and differing in the two forms. The pointed extremities 8 of the rods or spurs are movable outwardly from the block at diagonally opposite points or corners of the slot 3 and are shifta'ble outwardly from which the carpet orcovering is placed. By

reason of the pointed extremities of the rods or spurs being extended outwardly from the block at diagonally opposite points and to one side of the center and having a simultaneous projection of equal extent the block will be prevented from turning, and thereby expedite theapplication ofthe fastener and avoid annoyance incident to the displacement ofthe block, which would ensue if the pointed rods "or spurs were projected from the center of the block or the slot in the latter. One key will be used in applying anumber of the fasteners, as the structure of the-latter is similar.

' The blocks can be used alone without any other auxiliary means for securing the carpet or covering 1n place, partlcularly on stairs; but 1n some instances it may be necessary to also use a rod, particularly to hold a crash or other protective covering in place over a stair-carings with which it engages, or in some instances one of the fasteners may be removed and the other allowed to remain in applied position to arrange the rod against the carpet shank 6 from being fully projected and fall or covering or to detach said rod.

1n the form of .the' device shown by Figs. 2, 3, and 4 guide projections 13 are located centrally in the slot 8 to hold the pointed rods or spurs in parallel relation under all conditions. The teeth 7 at the inner edges of the flat shank 6 are continually engaged by or in mesh with the teeth of the pinion 14, held in the center of the slot, and through the said pinion-an angular key-opening 15 extends and coincides with a socket 16 in the block beneath for the reception of a flat head 17 of the key 9, specially arranged for this construction of the fastener. To prevent the ing out the opposite ends of the slot 3, stopteeth 18 are formed at. opposite terminals of the teeth 7, the said stop teeth being large enough to obstruct engagement thereof with the pinion 14. In some instances. as shown by Fig. 3, a boss 19 may surround the opening 10 in the shield or cover 4 to brace the key 9 and resist wear by said key around the opening 10.

The form of the device shown by Figs. 5 and 6 also embodies the guide projections 13; but the pinion 14 is lacking in this instance,

as well as the stop-teeth 18. The shanks 6 of the pointed rods or spurs have longitudinal slots 20 formed. therein and engaged by headed securing devices 21, adapted to strike against the opposite ends of the slots 20 and limit the projection of the pointed rods or spurs. The key 9 in this instance has its working end formed with series of diametrically-opposed ribs 22 and is inserted in a socket 23 in the block 1 in alinement with the open- .ing 10, the latter in this instance being of the same diameter as the socket. The teeth 7 of the shank 6 project over the socket, so that when the ribs 22 are inserted in said socket they engage the teeth and project or retract the pointed pins or spurs when the key is rotated in opposite directions.

The pins or spurs in both forms of the device are projected or retracted by rotating the key for operating the same, and after the fastener has been secured in applied position the key is withdrawn and accidental disengagement of the fastener is avoided. It will also be understood that the proportions of the block may be varied and materials other than wood can be used, if desired. When the block is enlarged or diminished in size, a corresponding change in proportions will be carried out in the remaining parts of the fastener. It is also intendedto suitably ornament the face of the fastener as well as the rod cooperating therewith.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is The combination of a pair of fasteners, having spurs projectable therefrom and formed with sockets in the inner opposing ends thereof, and a rod detachably held in the said sockets.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. HULL. Witnesses:

JOHN L. FLETCHER, JESSIE A. KING. 

